The Pause

September 2, 2026

by Shelley

Midway through the week, and it has been one of those weeks where I haven't had one single moment to completely "check out" professionally.

I guess that comes with the territory when you're working full-time and then spending your evenings building multiple businesses. Most days, I'm actually pretty good at flipping the switch. I walk through my front door, work stays at work, and I become Mom.

But some weeks?

Some weeks I bring it home with me.

Because, well...I'm human.

Today, though, I was intentional about flipping that switch.

I walked through the door, put my phone up, and completely entered my 3-year-old's world.

We built forts. We played dinosaurs. We played hide-and-seek. We ate snacks. We watched a movie.

And when we finally climbed into bed tonight, I realized something:

I didn't think about work one single time.

Not once.

For those few hours, I wasn't thinking about tomorrow's schedule, my businesses, what I needed to get done, what I forgot to do, or the approximately 47 things constantly running through my brain.

I was just Mom.

And I think sometimes we forget how big those little pauses can be.

Life just goes and goes and goes...and we go right along with it. There's always another responsibility. Another goal. Another thing that needs our attention.

But those moments when we intentionally pause everything?

They might feel small to us, but they can be really BIG to the person we're pausing for.

Five years ago, I prayed for this life.

I prayed for stability. I prayed for purpose. I prayed for opportunities. I prayed for a life where I could provide for my children and build something bigger for our future.

God gave me that life.

All the glory goes to Him.

But lately, I've realized that part of being grateful for the life I prayed for is actually slowing down long enough to live it.

I'm building something amazing for my family because my goal is that one day, I won't have to leave home every morning to go to work. And right now, building that dream requires sacrifice. It requires late nights, long days, and giving up some of my free time.

But building our future doesn't mean I have to miss our right now.

Sometimes I need the pause.

The pause that lets me be completely present with my children.

The pause that reminds me why I'm working so hard in the first place.

The pause that allows me to walk back into work tomorrow refreshed instead of depleted.

The pause that gives me room to reflect, pray, and remember just how far God has brought me.

Today, I paused everything.

Tomorrow, I'll pick it all back up again.

I'll walk into work refreshed, ready to handle whatever comes my way...

in a gorgeous pair of Leviticus boots, of course.

Because apparently building an empire, raising babies, following God's plan, and learning when to slow down can all coexist.

You just have to remember to pause every once in a while.

And tonight, I'm really grateful I did.

Have the day you prayed for. 🤍